Have any of you guys built a traditional style 33 Ford truck (fenderless) on a 40 Ford frame? High boy style? I'm asking because I just scored an entire rolling 40 ford truck chassis for dirt cheap so just wondering if I should strip what I want and buy 33 rails or could this work with little mods? Thanks for your input! Stu
Obviously anything can be made to work, but I'd also vote to ditch the idea. You could also use a Model A frame, which I did. Of course, I "Z"ed mine & channelled the truck.
Old thread,,a ton of great looking trucks,plenty of inspiration.HRP http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2405
Don't discard this idea without some careful measuring and thinking. Most of these wrong-year-frame ideas should rightfully be discarded without further thought...but this is a fenderless truck with '32-34 type cab...important because unlike most early Ford bodies those are wide at the bottom and overhang the frame, while almost all others fit to the curve and really must be on their home bases to work. Go to the wescott site and print off the 2 frame types, figgerout where engines and axles would fit, draw in the footprint of your body and think. The frames differ very little in overall shape, the width at fattest point is about the same, engine placement differs some. See where the pieces would actually line up. Given the way the lower part of the early truck body goes, this just might be workable. Here I'm assuming that "truck" means pickup, not big truck.
And on tradition...somewhere in the mid-fifties small books of Rod&Custom there is a detailed buildup of a '34 Coupe (meaning fit important) on a '37 frame...because, of course, the supply of '34 frames was completely used up and there were no more to be had! Whine, whine, whine...gee, I hope they invent fiberglass soon, since there ain't no more old Fords.
Well, If finding a 33 frame gets tough and an A frame will work, there seem to be a bunch of AA truck frames for sale in the Northeast lately. I've seen a bunch on CL up here, mostly in NH & Maine. That might be something to look into.
Tell me again how you can't build a bad ass HotRod on one of those later frames... http://www.circlecityhotrods.com/press/DeLuxeJune2000No2LR.pdf Hahaha
it's not outside the realm of possibility, but it woudn't be my first choice. some massaging on a fenderless truck and it could work. I'd be concerned about the front crossmember being way too wide and looking like butt with 32 shell. you can change the crossmember and narrow the front section, but at that point I think you're better to just build a chassis from new components (ie asc rails). Keep the front and rear and sell the later rails to someone building a fat fender ride.
You can also buy a set of frame rails,,32 or 34 and use parts of the 40 Ford suspension and build a nice truck,,not saying you can't reinvent the wheel but you are going to have to do a lot of cutting and reworking. HRP
I'm pretty sure Titus did it, and he builds some pretty cool stuff. I'll have to see if I can find pictures... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Here... Same idea http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=611423 I sold a set of wheels and a firewall to the guy that supposedly bought this truck from Titus, I don't know if he ever finished it but it was definitely on the fast track to being a cool little truck.
The coupe actually is on a '37-'41 frame, but whatever... NortonG the hemicoupe was the first thing I thought of when I opened this thread! It's my favorite band! Haha!
I'd beat the bushes to see if any 33 rollers come darting out at you. I'm guessing that you probably won't be overwhelmed with options So...If no 33 frame becomes readily available...I'd say fuck it and modify that 37-41 frame. Model A crossmember...narrow the frame...and maybe a mini-channel in the cab... works for me. But...You gotta recognize that going the 37-41 frame route does limit your resale, but it should also keep your build budget to a reasonable number.
'32 Frame for looks, '33-4 if you really want to hauls some hogs in it! '32 wheelbase leaves a lot of bed hanging out over nothing... What is interesting is how close center areas of the later frames are to '33...with wheelbase mods, I do think the '40 might be a contender!
Ford Mike, thanks for posting that, i was gonna post a link also. It was alot of work to make it fly and i think it was working out how i had it set up, decent proportions etc etc. Joe that bought the truck did end up finishing it, he changed up the front end a little, basicaly putting a suicide front end on it, which is what he wanted so thats all that counts. I was basically building that truck to sell and the frame stuff that was with it was nice so i decided to try and use it and it worked. If i had nothing i would have looked for a 32 frame for it, if it was a 33 34 i would have looked for a 33/34 frame. I think the biggest problem that people mess up on is not narrowing a frame swap car, the 35 and up frames have really nice swooping look, but just to wide. jeff
Cowl back is from a '40 pickup. Cowl forward is 2 x 5 rectangular tubing. I used it because I had it. For hi boy style I would use a 32 frame.
Any chance he sent you some pics of the finished truck Titus? I'm very curious how it came out because I liked the way you were going with it. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Yes I have thought about the Deuce chassis as well however, to your point Bruce, I am not really fond of the overhang of the bed on these frames. Your Hauling Hogs quote cracked me up! My "reasoning" (like we need one) for building this truck is b/c I can't haul all my shit home from swap meets in my 29 coupe. It's a good enough excuse to me (and the wife)!
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